From McIlroy’s phone incident to Siem’s boozy record – a look back at the quirkiest golf moments of 2025.
Golf is often seen as a serious sport, steeped in etiquette and calm. Yet even in this refined world, bizarre and unexpected moments occur. From forgotten ball markers to drunken course records and high-stakes bets to quit smoking, 2025 delivered its fair share of oddities. Here’s our roundup of the most curious golf moments of the year.
Rory McIlroy confiscates a fan’s phone
Rory McIlroy is no stranger to hecklers, but during a practice round ahead of the Players Championship, he had enough. After a fan interrupted his swing, McIlroy demanded the man’s phone and walked off with it down the fairway. While the fan eventually got it back, he was also escorted out of the tournament.
Marcel Siem sets course record while drunk
Playing golf under the influence is usually a recipe for disaster – unless you’re Marcel Siem. The German pro revealed on a podcast that he once set three course records while drunk, including during the third round of the 2015 Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Despite taking two breaks to vomit, he played one of the best rounds of his life.
Shane Lowry forgets to mark his ball at the US Open
In a rare lapse for a professional, Shane Lowry picked up his ball on the 14th hole at the 2025 US Open without marking it first, resulting in a penalty stroke. Already 14-over-par and well outside the cut line, Lowry was able to laugh off the blunder after his round.
McIlroy hits two balls with one swing
At the 2025 British Open, McIlroy pulled off a trick even he hadn’t seen before. While hitting from the rough on the 11th hole, a second ball unexpectedly flew out alongside his own. Most likely, it was a lost ball buried in the grass that got dislodged by his swing.
Charley Hull bets £10,000 to quit smoking
Quitting smoking is tough, even for elite athletes. Charley Hull made it interesting by